Roscrea Youth Service is an amalgamation of three separate Projects housed under the roof of the Kickback Youth Café, under the umbrella of North Tipperary Development Company.

The RAY Project

Garda Youth Diversion Projects are part supported by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020. The Project delivers a wide range of services to young people who are referred into the Project through one to one support and group work. The aim of this Project is to divert young people, who have been referred due to anti-social behaviour and or criminal activity, away from such activity and life-style and into diversionary activities.

The Project use a variety of interventions to support this work. There is a therapeutic element to all the work carried out, however this is partnered with a recreational activity to ensure balance. The RAY Project have used many sporting and recreation facilities to promote and partner with its work and all to date have had very positive outcomes.

Special Project Youth (SPY)

Special Project Youth (SPY) funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and locally administered through the ETB. The Project operates out of the Youth Café building and delivers a varied service both in the community and within the Primary and Secondary schools. The primary aim of the Project is to support young people to fulfil their optimum potential and this is done through both one to one work and through the development of community and school, needs based programmes.

The Project runs a number of young women and men’s groups within the community and covers workshops on sexuality, cyber safety and bullying, drug and alcohol programmes and mental health programmes. Supports are provided to young people moving onto college in relation to SUSI advice and stepping stone courses available. They also have a weekly LGBTQI support group called purple hearts that has been running for the past ten years.

Summer camps and programmes are carried out with the financial support of the Tipperary Sports Partnership and SICAP

Kickback Youth Café

Kickback Youth Café was developed in 2010 following a needs analysis with all young people in Roscrea. The Café houses Roscrea Youth Service which comprises of the Café, Garda Youth Diversion Project and the SPY Project. The Café has grown and expanded throughout the past number of years and is managed by a Youth Management Committee (made up of Young people under 18 years), supported by a number of Volunteers. The Café Activities change and develop according to the needs locally.

We currently offer a group for 9 – 12 year olds on Wednesday called Whacky Wednesday

The Café also runs a drop in facility for secondary school young people every Thursday and Friday which offers a hangout space, free Wi-Fi, and a friendly listening ear when needed. They also organise trips, movie nights, quiz nights and gig nights.